By Department of Transport 09 JUNE 2015 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON STANDARDS OF TRAINING, CERTIFICATION AND WATCH KEEPING FOR FISHING VESSEL PERSONNEL, (STCW-F) 1995 PRESENTATION TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT By Department of Transport 09 JUNE 2015

OUTLINE 1. Purpose 2. Background of the STCW-F CONVENTION 3. Why should SA become a Party? 4. Objective of the STCW-F CONVENTION 5. Strategic focus of the Convention 6. Implications 7. Consultation 8. Request

1. PURPOSE To brief the PCOT on: International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel, 1995 (herein called STCW-F Convention). We request the Committee to approve the accession to the STCW-F Convention.

2. BACKGROUND It is estimated that, annually, more than 24 000 lives are lost world- wide during fishing operations. The United Nations specialised agency called the International Maritime Organisation (hereinafter referred to as the IMO) realised the need for a response to the safety crisis in the fishing industry and has a number of instruments addressing the issue. Consequently, in 1995 the IMO adopted STCW-F Convention which entered into force in September 2012. STCW-F Convention addresses training and certification standards for skippers and watch-keepers on fishing vessels of 24m and more.

2. BACKGROUND (Conti…d) The STCW-F Convention will contribute to the reduction of casualties, and will go a long way to improve the present poor safety record of the global fishing industry. South Africa intends to become a party to the STCW-F Convention.

3. WHY SHOULD SA BECOME A PARTY? If the STCW-F Convention is acceded to, South African standards of training, certification and watchkeeping for fishing vessel personnel will be recognised internationally. This will enable South African fishers to exploit career opportunities locally as well as internationally. South Africa should become a party to the Convention to reap the benefits of world acceptance of the standards of training, certification of South African fishers The STCW-F Convention will also bring considerable benefits and advantages to the fishing fraternity in reducing fatality and causalities.

4. OBJECTIVES OF THE STCW-F CONVENTION The primary objectives of the Convention are: To set standards of certification and Prescribe minimum training requirements on all fishing vessels.

5.STRATEGIC FOCUS OF THE STCW-F CONVENTION The Convention is in line with the National Development Plan in that it improves the training of fishers. The Convention recognises skills shortages and high levels of risks associated with fishing activities. It seeks to improve safe working conditions for fishers working on fishing vessels.

6. IMPLICATIONS No financial implications on Government except minor increase in work-load for South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA). There are current Regulations that SAMSA is implementing; thus it will be a matter of replacing them with the new Convention (STCW-F).

7. CONSULTATION Consultation with the industry stakeholders through workshops: a) 25 June 2012: Western Region- Cape Town (The Fountain Hotel) b) 26 June 2012: Southern Region- Port Elizabeth (Siyaloba Training Academy) c) 27 June 2012: Eastern Region- Durban (Transnet School of Ports) d) 28 June 2012: Inland Region- Pretoria (SAMSA Hillcrest Office).

7. CONSULTATION (Cont…d) Consultation with training institutions: SAMSA, Project Maritime Training, Marine Crewing Services, Servest Marine, SAMTRA, TETA, Academy of Maritime Medicine, Bargaining Council for Fishing Industry, Premier Fishing, TNPA, School of Shipping, Sea Harvest and Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Consultation with Government Departments: Comments were also received from the State Law advisors of both Departments of Justice and DIRCO DoT/SAMSA consulted with SAQA for the recognition of all sea qualifications including STCW-F certification The DoT also consulted with the DAFF and dti and JCPS as recommended by the ICTS Clusters. The Convention will not lead to economic exclusion because all affected stakeholders are consulted.

8. REQUEST Committee to approve the accession to the Convention.

THANK YOU